Ouachita National Forest

THE SEDIMENTARY ROCKS which form the Ouachita Mountains are among the oldest rock formations in the United States. Geologists claim that these ancient rocks, which have been folded into anticlines and synclines, were formed millions of years ago in the geological period called Paleozoic. A striking feature of the Ouachitas is the regular development of ridges and valleys. Exceptions to this are found in places only along the border, Where faults with vertical displacements of several thousand feet have combined with the overturning of the folds to make the relief more irregular.

Another interesting geological feature is that many mountain ridges are produced by the Novaculite, a massive white, flinty rock, occurring in a bed several hundred feet in thickness. The only occurrences of real novaculite in the United States are in the Ouachita Mountains.

Mining is confined to very limited areas. Some mining of ore, chiefly manganese, has been carried on, but with little success. Slate mining has been slightly more successful. Crystals are mined and sold locally to tourists (mostly in Hot Springs National Park).

TREES AND FLOWERS

THERE are over 60 native species of trees found growing within this forest. Shortleaf pine and certain hardwoods predominate. Among the more common hardwoods are: white and red oak, sweetgum, blackgum, hickory, locust, basswood, cucumber, dogwood, maple, ash, beech, birch, cherry, walnut, holly, and magnolia.¹

---

¹A more complete list is given in the back of this booklet.

---

The student of botany or the nature lover find unlimited material of interest within the forest bounds. It is claimed that more different species of plants are found on Rich Mountain the highest mountain in the forest, than any other place in the State. In the early spring the forested slopes and adjacent valleys and floodplains are a mass of bloom—dogwood, azalea, serviceberry, redbud, and wild plum all contributing to the picture.

During the flowering seasons of spring, summer, and fall, the common and attractive flowers of all colors bloom in abundance.

TIMBER RESOURCES

THE Ouachita National Forest is in the heart of a timber-producing region of recognized value, and in this resource is one of the most profitable areas in the Federal forest system. It has contributed largely to the lumber business of the Central Southern States for a generation, and, if properly managed, will continue to be a source of wealth for generations to come.

Shortleaf pine is the primary species but there are also excellent stands of mixed hardwoods. Surveys show that there are 1,500,000,000 board feet of merchantable pine timber left on the forest, and nearly 4,000,000 board feet of good hardwoods.

Timber from the Ouachita is put on the market under carefully prepared management plans. The amount cut annually is not allowed to exceed the growth, which is estimated to be 70,000,000 board feet. Following this practice, the forest will furnish a perpetual source of timber for industry and stable employment for local labor. Receipts for the past 10 years from the forest have averaged slightly more than $75,000 annually. Receipts from timber sales in the year ending June 30, 1936, were $163,355.63.

A STAND OF MATURE SHORTLEAF PINES There are 1,500,000,000 board feet of mature pine timber on the forest F—192192

A FOREST-SUPPORTED TOWN OF THE OUACHITAS F—254399

LOGGING WITH MULE TEAMS IS CUSTOMARY ON THE SMALLER OPERATIONS F—261577

Growing, harvesting, manufacturing, and marketing of forest crops are outstanding industries in this region. More than 150 towns and co munities, having a population of 60,000 people, are wholly or partly dependent upon the forest for their existence.

The oldest stands of mature and overmature timber are selected to be cut first. Only ripe or defective trees are removed. Each tree to be harvested is marked by a forest officer with a special marking axe. Each contract provides for the protection of the young growth which is left. Heavy penalties are imposed upon operators who injure unnecessarily any young timber in their logging operations.

Timber is sold by the Government to the highest bidder, thus assuring the public the greatest return for its timber. The money from the sale of timber and from all other sources is paid into the United States Treasury, but 25 percent of the gross receipts is returned to the counties in which the forest is located, to be used for the benefit of schools and the improvement of county roads. An additional 10 percent is used within the forest boundaries for improvement of the road and trail system. In this way, 35 percent of the gross receipts of the Ouachita National Forest is spent in the localities where the revenue is produced.

SHORTLEAF PINE GOING TO MARKET Railroad logging is practical on the very large operations F—261711

WHEN TIMBER IS HARVESTED UNDER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS THE AREAS CUT ARE QUICKLY RESEEDED BY THE THRIFTY TREES LEFT F—261569